As the largest museum in the western United States, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County covers 4.5 billion years of history, with notable exhibits on marine biology and paleontology (thanks to the specimens collected from the La Brea Tar Pits).

The iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall (designed by Frank Gehry) was completed in 2003 and has become a favourite of photographers and architecture buffs alike. The underground parking garage alone took four years to build and cost $110 million. Travellers can take a free 60-minute self-guided audio tour.

Griffith Park is home to the Griffith Observatory and planetarium, the LA Zoo and even the iconic Hollywood Sign (not accessible to visitors). See some of the best views of the city from look-outs in Griffith Park.